Meat Fondue: Creative Dipping Ideas For Your Next Party

Fondue is a fun and social way to cook and eat a meal. It involves cooking small pieces of meat, seafood, or vegetables in hot oil, broth, or wine, and then dipping them into various sauces. Fondue is typically done with a group of people, each with their own long fondue fork for cooking the food, and a regular fork for eating it. The cooking time for raw meat in a fondue pot is typically between 15 and 60 seconds, depending on how well done you want your meat. There are many different types of fondue, but meat fondue typically uses a metal pot that can withstand high heat.

Meat fondue cooking times

Meat fondue is a fun and interactive way to cook and enjoy a variety of meats and sauces. The cooking time for meat fondue will depend on the type of meat and your desired level of doneness. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you achieve perfect results every time.

Preparation

Before you begin, it is important to prepare your sauces, meats, and vegetables in advance. Cut your chosen meats into bite-sized pieces or cubes of approximately 1-inch in size. You can use a variety of meats such as beef sirloin steak, chicken breasts, shrimp, or even vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and broccoli. Arrange the meats and vegetables on separate platters and keep them refrigerated until serving time.

Cooking Instructions

For a classic meat fondue, you will need a fondue pot, fondue forks, and a burner. Fill your fondue pot with vegetable oil, ensuring it is no more than half full. Heat the oil on a stovetop until it reaches a temperature of 190°C. You can test the readiness of the oil by throwing in a cube of bread; it should take about 30 seconds for the bread to turn brown.

Once your oil is ready, carefully place the fondue pot on a stable surface, such as a table, and light the flame underneath according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Now, the fun part begins! Give each guest a fondue fork and let them dunk their chosen meats into the hot oil. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of meat and the desired level of doneness:

• For rare meat, cook for 25-30 seconds.
• For medium doneness, cook for 30-35 seconds.
• For well-done meat, cook for 45-60 seconds.

If you are cooking shrimp, it is ready when it turns opaque. Chicken is cooked when it is no longer pink in the centre. For beef, you can adjust the cooking time according to your desired level of doneness.

Tips

• It is important to exercise caution when cooking with hot oil. Always follow safety guidelines to avoid accidents.
• To enhance the flavour of your meats, consider seasoning them before cooking.
• You can also offer a variety of sauces for dipping, such as creamy cucumber sauce, ginger-wasabi sauce, or lemon-pepper aioli.
• For a complete meal, serve your fondue with bread and salad on the side.

How to prepare raw meat for fondue

Fondue is a fun cooking method for serving a small group. It's important to prepare your raw meat carefully to ensure it's safe and flavoursome.

Firstly, choose your meat. Beef and chicken are popular choices, but you can also use pork tenderloin or even chicken breasts. Cut the meat into bite-sized cubes, around 1-inch in size. This makes it easier to cook and ensures it's a manageable size for eating.

Next, you'll want to marinate the meat. This step is optional, but it adds flavour and you can use a variety of ingredients such as soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, or even hot sauce if you like it spicy. Combine your chosen ingredients, then add the meat to the mixture and leave it in the refrigerator for around four hours, turning it occasionally to ensure it's fully coated.

Before cooking, dry the meat thoroughly with paper towels. This helps prevent dangerous spatters when the meat hits the hot oil or broth.

Now you're ready to cook! Heat your oil or broth to 375º F (just below boiling) in your fondue pot. You can use a variety of oils, such as peanut, vegetable, canola, or olive oil. Alternatively, choose a broth that complements your meat, such as beef broth for a beef fondue.

Carefully place the raw meat into the hot oil or broth using a long-handled fondue fork. Cook for 15-20 seconds for rare, 25-30 seconds for medium-rare, or 40-45 seconds for well-done.

Once cooked to your liking, remove the meat from the fondue pot and enjoy with your choice of dipping sauces!

Dipping sauces for fondue meat

There are many different sauces that can be used for dipping fondue meat. Here are some ideas for sauces that you can make yourself, as well as some that you can buy pre-made.

Cracked Pepper Sauce

This sauce is good with beef. To make it, beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of softened butter together until smooth. Then, add in 1/2 teaspoon of cracked peppercorns, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of finely chopped shallots or green onions, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Chill the sauce for a few hours or overnight to let the flavours blend, and serve at room temperature.

Dill Sauce

Dill sauce goes well with fish. Combine 1 cup of regular or light sour cream, 1 teaspoon of horseradish sauce, 1 teaspoon of finely chopped red onion, 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon of dried dill, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Chill the sauce for several hours or overnight, and serve at room temperature or chilled.

Teriyaki Sauce

This sauce is good with chicken, beef, or fish. Sauté 1 clove of minced garlic and 2 teaspoons of finely chopped gingerroot in 2 teaspoons of sesame oil for 30 seconds. Then, add in 1/4 cup of sherry wine or sake, 1 tablespoon of packed brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed.

Aïoli Dip

Combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with 1 large minced garlic clove and blend well. Then, using a wire whisk, beat in 3 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt until well blended.

Curry Dip

In a small bowl, combine 1 large minced garlic clove, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of curry powder, 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of prepared horseradish, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt. Blend well.

Horseradish Sauce

Combine 3/4 cup of sour cream, 3 tablespoons of prepared horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon of mustard, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 2 cloves of chopped garlic.

Steak Sauce

Combine all ingredients and blend well. The specific ingredients for this sauce are not listed, but you can use your favourite steak sauce as a guide.

In addition to these homemade sauces, you can also find pre-made Asian, Cajun, and béarnaise dipping sauces at your local supermarket.

What to serve with beef fondue

Beef fondue, also known as "fondue Bourguignonne", is a delightful way to bring people together and share a meal. While the main event is the beef, there are plenty of sides and sauces that will elevate your meal and impress your guests.

Sides

A variety of vegetables can be cooked in the same manner as the meat, by immersing them in hot oil. These include par-cooked potato or baby potatoes, blanched pearl onions, sweet pepper spears, and mushrooms. If you're looking for something a little more substantial, you could also serve mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, pasta salad, or a baked potato.

Sauces

It is customary to serve three sauces with fondue, though you can serve more if you wish. Three common choices are a creamy horseradish sauce, mustard-based sauces, and bearnaise (which is essentially hollandaise sauce with tarragon and tarragon vinegar added). If you are serving vegetables as part of your fondue, remember to include at least one sauce that will complement them.

Other Ideas

If you have any leftover beef from your fondue, you could try making Philly cheese steaks, Korean-style bulgogi, French dip sandwiches, or beef carpaccio.

Storing and freezing leftover fondue meat

Left with a lot of leftover fondue meat after a party? Here are some tips to ensure your meat stays fresh and edible for future use.

Firstly, it is important to note that raw meat should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days of purchase. If you do not plan to use the meat within this time frame, it is best to freeze it. Fondue meat, like any other meat, can be frozen for up to 2-3 months if stored properly. To freeze, wrap the meat tightly in freezer paper or place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Ensure all air is pushed out of the bag before sealing. Label the package with the date and content before placing it in the freezer.

When you are ready to use your frozen fondue meat, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator. This will take several hours or overnight. Once thawed, cook the meat as desired.

If you are looking for recipe ideas to use up your leftover fondue meat, there are plenty of options! You can try making a stir-fry, grilling sandwiches, or even creating international dishes like Korean bulgogi or Italian carpaccio. Get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavors to make the most of your leftover fondue meat!

Frequently asked questions